Ground Cover - Tree Canopy

AUS-TSR-LVG-TCC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 20 to 40 %
Thresholds: Lower: 10, Upper: 50
Optimal Range: 20 to 40
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The following provides the definitive benchmark for Tree Canopy Cover in Australian Tropical and Subtropical Rainforest biomes under livestock grazing and pasture land use, based on the comprehensive analysis of the best available scientific evidence.

Metric Definition:

Tree Canopy Cover (TCC) is defined as the area of ground covered by the vertical projection of the outermost perimeter of tree crowns, ignoring any overlaps and gaps within the crowns.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of Tree Canopy Cover for sustainable livestock grazing in Australian Tropical and Subtropical Rainforest biomes, reflecting a managed silvopastoral landscape structurally similar to open woodland that balances ecological health and productivity.

Justification:

The benchmark is strongly supported by multiple independent lines of evidence from analogous Australian tropical and subtropical savanna/woodland systems, including government classifications, pasture growth modelling, and ecological threshold research.

Sources (3)

Preview of An online system for calculating and delivering long-term carrying capacity information for Queensland grazing properties. Part 2: modelling and outputs - CSIRO Publishing
An online system for calculating and delivering long-term carrying capacity information for Queensland grazing properties. Part 2: modelling and outputs - CSIRO Publishing Journal

An online system for calculating and delivering long-term carrying capacity information for Queensland grazing properties. Part 2: modelling and outputs - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 19, 2025,

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Preview of Experience and science a winning combo in arid-lands monitoring | TERN Australia, accessed May 13, 2025,
Experience and science a winning combo in arid-lands monitoring | TERN Australia, accessed May 13, 2025, Government

Australia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed July 19, 2025,

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Preview of Landscape-level thresholds of habitat cover for woodland-dependent birds
Landscape-level thresholds of habitat cover for woodland-dependent birds

Landscape-level thresholds of habitat cover for woodland-dependent birds, accessed July 19, 2025,

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Supporting Sources (22)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

A Revegetation Guide for Sub-Tropical Forest - Greening Australia, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source
Preview of Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems - Timber Queensland, accessed July 19, 2025,
Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems - Timber Queensland, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems - Timber Queensland, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Australia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Australia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Australia's forests - DAFF, accessed May 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Case studies | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed July 19, 2025,
Case studies | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Case studies | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Do we really need to burn the bushes? 29 years of the Kidman Springs Fire Experiment, NT, accessed July 19, 2025,
Do we really need to burn the bushes? 29 years of the Kidman Springs Fire Experiment, NT, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Do we really need to burn the bushes? 29 years of the Kidman Springs Fire Experiment, NT, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Forest canopy cover and canopy closure: Comparison of assessment techniques, accessed July 19, 2025,
Forest canopy cover and canopy closure: Comparison of assessment techniques, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support

Forest canopy cover and canopy closure: Comparison of assessment techniques, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,
Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Boom and bust for biodiversity in arid Australia

View Source
Preview of Grazing Management Principles No.3 - Local Land Services, accessed July 31, 2025
Grazing Management Principles No.3 - Local Land Services, accessed July 31, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Cypress and Western Hardwood Forests - Local Land Services, accessed July 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Ground cover monitoring methods - Reef Water Quality Report Card 2020, accessed July 19, 2025,
Ground cover monitoring methods - Reef Water Quality Report Card 2020, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Ecological consequences of land clearing and policy reform in Queensland - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Kidman Springs fire experiment (Shruburn) - FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025,
Kidman Springs fire experiment (Shruburn) - FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Kidman Springs fire experiment (Shruburn) - FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization | Journal of Plant Ecology | Oxford Academic, accessed July 12, 2025,
Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization | Journal of Plant Ecology | Oxford Academic, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization | Journal of Plant Ecology | Oxford Academic, accessed July 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Scattered trees are keystone structures – Implications for conservation, accessed July 19, 2025,
Scattered trees are keystone structures – Implications for conservation, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

How to Increase Soil Fertility with Mixed-Species Planting - SONIC Natural Farming

View Source
Preview of Shade alters savanna grass layer structure and function along a gradient of canopy cover | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
Shade alters savanna grass layer structure and function along a gradient of canopy cover | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Shade alters savanna grass layer structure and function along a gradient of canopy cover | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Shelterbelts | MP Landcare, accessed August 12, 2025
Shelterbelts | MP Landcare, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support

Chapter 2: Livestock grazing systems & the environment, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Silvopastoral systems as a strategy for drought resilience: A short international review - Silva Balcanica, accessed July 19, 2025,
Silvopastoral systems as a strategy for drought resilience: A short international review - Silva Balcanica, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support

Deforestation for Pasture Development – Has It Been Worth It? - UKnowledge, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Silvopastoral trials of commercial pine systems in North Queensland ..., accessed July 19, 2025,
Silvopastoral trials of commercial pine systems in North Queensland ..., accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Silvopastoral trials of commercial pine systems in North Queensland ..., accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Silvopasture - A sustainable land management practice for healthier, wealthier farms, accessed July 19, 2025,
Silvopasture - A sustainable land management practice for healthier, wealthier farms, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Silvopasture - A sustainable land management practice for healthier, wealthier farms, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Standing volume yield, canopy structure and allometric relationships of dominant urban trees in Melbourne, Australia - Treenet, accessed July 19, 2025,
Standing volume yield, canopy structure and allometric relationships of dominant urban trees in Melbourne, Australia - Treenet, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Poplar box woodlands of Eastern Australia: an assessment of a threatened ecological community within the IVC framework - Vegetation Classification and Survey, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Statewide Landcover and Trees Study - Methodology overview v1.2 - Queensland Government, accessed July 19, 2025,
Statewide Landcover and Trees Study - Methodology overview v1.2 - Queensland Government, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Statewide Landcover and Trees Study - Methodology overview v1.2 - Queensland Government, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The contribution of trees and grasses to productivity of an Australian tropical savanna - BG, accessed July 19, 2025,
The contribution of trees and grasses to productivity of an Australian tropical savanna - BG, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The contribution of trees and grasses to productivity of an Australian tropical savanna - BG, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of understorey biomass in semi-arid woodlands of south-eastern Australia - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 15, 2025
Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of understorey biomass in semi-arid woodlands of south-eastern Australia - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support

Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Urban Tree Database and Allometric Equations - Forest Service, accessed July 19, 2025,
Urban Tree Database and Allometric Equations - Forest Service, accessed July 19, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Comparison of Canopy Volume Measurements of Scattered Eucalypt Farm Trees Derived from High Spatial Resolution Imagery and LiDAR - MDPI, accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 10 %. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 50 %. The 20–40% Tree Canopy Cover range represents the best-on-offer condition for a sustainable livestock grazing system on land formerly occupied by tropical or subtropical rainforest. This benchmark reflects a derived, managed silvopastoral landscape structurally analogous to an open woodland, balancing ecological health with pastoral productivity.